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KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): Bursa Malaysia wrapped up 2023 to close at its intraday low at 1,454,66 on Friday compared with the first-day opening this year at 1,488.54, weighed by persistent selling pressure throughout most part the year due to outflow of funds as a result of various rate hikes in the US, a dealer said. Consequently, Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) fell to its year low of 1,374.64 on June 8, 2023, but the situation improved when foreign funds returned to the country at the beginning of July.  At 5pm, the KLCI closed 2.75 points or 0.18% lower to 1,454.66 from Thursday’s close of 1,457.41. The key index opened 0.16 of a point better at 1,457.57 and thereafter moved to a high of 1,461.4 during the early morning session. In the broader market, losers surpassed gainers 486 to 431, while 453 counters were unchanged, 890 untraded and 45 others suspended. Turnover went up to 4.67 bill...

  KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 28): Bursa Malaysia closed higher for the second consecutive day as bargain-hunting activities emerged following the recent sell-off, a dealer said.  At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) closed 3.19 points or 0.22% firmer to 1,457.41 from Wednesday’s close of 1,454.22. The KLCI opened 0.36 of a point easier at 1,453.86 and moved between 1,453.06 and 1,459.1 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers surpassed losers 486 to 404, while 466 counters were unchanged, 945 untraded and 86 others suspended. Turnover went up to 4.24 billion units worth RM2.39 billion from 3.29 billion units worth RM2.06 billion on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Public Investment Bank Bhd said the KLCI is anticipated to tread sideways around the 1,455 horizon in the near term, swaying with market sentiment at this juncture. Meanwhile, another dealer said the market movement is likely to be quite slow approaching the year-end, with slow inflow from b...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 27): Bursa Malaysia snapped a four-day losing streak to end higher on Wednesday, spurred by bargain hunting with signs of mild window-dressing activities while tracking the upbeat mood across regional markets. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) closed 3.44 points or 0.24% firmer to 1,454.22 from Tuesday's close of 1,450.78. The KLCI opened 1.59 points better at 1,452.37 and moved between 1,452.08 and 1,455.44 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers thumped losers 468 to 380, while 467 counters were unchanged, 988 untraded, and 56 others suspended. Turnover jumped to 3.29 billion units worth RM2.06 billion from 2.91 billion units worth RM1.96 billion on Tuesday.  Apex Securities Bhd head of research Kenneth Leong said the improved sentiment on Wall Street was also reflected in the positive performance of the regional markets including Bursa Malaysia, which further contributed to the gains in the local bourse. “Going forward, we an...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 26): Bursa Malaysia ended lower on Tuesday amid muted trading as investors continued to stay on the sidelines due to the holiday-shortened week, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) shed 3.6 points to end at its intraday low of 1,450.78 from Friday's (Dec 22) close of 1,454.38. The KLCI opened 0.3 of a point easier at 1,454.08 and hit its day’s high of 1,456.66 thereafter before trending downwards towards closing. In the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 454 to 376, while 447 counters were unchanged, 1,028 untraded and 15 others suspended. Turnover eased to 2.91 billion units worth RM1.96 billion from 2.97 billion units worth RM1.84 billion on Friday Apex Securities Bhd head of research Kenneth Leong said the local market was also dragged down by weakness in more than two-thirds of the key index constituents. "Going forward, we expect the downward bias consolidation to persist in view of the lack of fresh leads,” he...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Bursa Malaysia ended marginally lower on Friday in a relatively quiet market ahead of the long weekend, with selling primarily observed in banking, gaming, and plantation stocks. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dipped 1.2 points to 1,454.38 from Thursday’s close of 1,455.58.  The KLCI opened 1.18 points firmer at 1,456.76 and moved between 1,451.99 and 1,457.86 throughout the day. In the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 425 to 411, while 484 counters were unchanged, 986 untraded and 12 others suspended. Turnover fell to 2.97 billion units worth RM1.84 billion from 3.06 billion units worth RM2.09 billion the previous day.  Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices trended mixed on quiet trading sessions ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays. "Simultaneously, investors are looking ahead to 2024 as a year of potential rate cuts in the United States. "In Hong Kong, stocks...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): Bursa Malaysia ended lower on Thursday on persistent selling pressure mainly in the financial services sector amid a mixed regional market performance. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dipped 0.61% or 8.98 points to 1,455.58 from Wednesday's close of 1,464.56.  The benchmark index had opened 1.39 points lower at 1,463.17 and moved between 1,454.97 and 1,463.17 throughout the day. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd slid 10 sen to RM5.80, Hong Leong Bank Bhd fell 48 sen to RM18.98, Public Bank Bhd lost five sen to RM4.27 and Maybank Bhd erased eight sen to RM8.89. These counters dragged the composite index down by a combined 6.62 points. In the broader market, losers outpaced gainers 434 to 390, while 487 counters were unchanged, 1,004 untraded and 21 others suspended. Turnover fell to 3.06 billion units worth RM2.09 billion from 3.84 billion units worth RM2.67 billion the previous day.  SPI Asset Management managing director Stephen Innes sa...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): Bursa Malaysia ceded earlier gains to finish in the negative territory on Wednesday due to profit-taking activities in the late trading session, ending its seven-day winning streak.   At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) dipped 1.11 points to 1,464.56, from Tuesday (Dec 19)’s close of 1,465.67. The benchmark index opened 0.76 of-a-point better at 1,466.43 and moved between 1,464.09 and 1,470.79 throughout the day. In the broader market, losers surpassed gainers 465 to 411, while 491 counters were unchanged, 950 untraded, and 23 others suspended. Turnover rose to 3.84 billion units worth RM2.67 billion, from 3.72 billion units worth RM2.42 billion on Tuesday.  Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices closed mixed but was mostly higher earlier, buoyed by the upbeat Wall Street overnight and the Bank of Japan...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 19): Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Tuesday, extending its winning streak for the seventh day. SPI Asset Management managing director Stephen Innes said the Bank of Japan held its monetary policy steady, giving Asian bourses including Bursa Malaysia a slight boost late afternoon. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) edged up 0.39 of a point to 1,465.67 versus Monday's close of 1,465.28. The FBM KLCI opened 1.28 points higher at 1,466.56 and moved between 1,464.55 and 1,467.61 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers beat losers 474 to 431, while 478 counters were unchanged, 933 untraded, and 12 others suspended. Turnover fell to 3.72 billion units worth RM2.42 billion from 4.81 billion units worth RM3.02 billion on Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday, continuing its five-day winning streak, boosted by buying across the board amid improving global confidence, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 6.19 points to 1,462.45 compared with Thursday’s closing of 1,456.26. The index barometer opened 0.31 of a point weaker at 1,455.95 and moved between 1,455.69 and 1,464.78 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers surpassed losers 528 to 425, while 460 counters were unchanged, 925 untraded, and 45 others suspended. Turnover fell to 3.77 billion units worth RM3.4 billion from 4.25 billion units worth RM2.78 billion the previous day. Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said a dovish shift from the Federal Reserve (Fed), a lower US 10-year Treasury note yield and positive development from China have provided some support to the markets and increased investors’ risk appetite. “Regionally, major indices recorded...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday, continuing its five-day winning streak, boosted by buying across the board amid improving global confidence, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 6.19 points to 1,462.45 compared with Thursday’s closing of 1,456.26. The index barometer opened 0.31 of a point weaker at 1,455.95 and moved between 1,455.69 and 1,464.78 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers surpassed losers 528 to 425, while 460 counters were unchanged, 925 untraded, and 45 others suspended. Turnover fell to 3.77 billion units worth RM3.4 billion from 4.25 billion units worth RM2.78 billion the previous day. Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said a dovish shift from the Federal Reserve (Fed), a lower US 10-year Treasury note yield and positive development from China have provided some support to the markets and increased investors’ risk appetite. “Regionally, major indices recorded...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 14): Bursa Malaysia closed on a positive note on Thursday, hitting an intraday high after taking signals from key regional indices, which were generally in the green following a positive cue from Wall Street overnight as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept its interest rate steady. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gained 0.57% or 8.22 points to 1,456.26 compared with Wednesday's closing of 1,448.04. The key index opened 0.84 of a point better at 1,448.88 and moved between 1,448.14 and 1,456.26 throughout the day. In the broader market, gainers thumped losers 567 to 352, while 452 counters were unchanged, 973 untraded, and 37 others suspended. Turnover surged to 4.25 billion units worth RM2.78 billion from 3.76 billion units worth RM2.40 billion on Wednesday. Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the two primary takeaways from the two-day FOMC meeting were that interest rates remained steady and that t...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 13): Bursa Malaysia reversed earlier losses to finish in positive territory due to late buying after experiencing choppy trading throughout the day, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 0.92 of-a-point to 1,448.04 compared with Tuesday's closing of 1,447.12. The key index opened 1.04 points easier at 1,446.08 and moved between 1,443.72 and 1,448.48 throughout the day. The broader market was also positive, with gainers outpacing losers 482 to 378, while 456 counters were unchanged, 1,012 untraded, and 21 others suspended. Turnover improved to 3.76 billion units worth RM2.40 billion from 3.28 billion units worth RM2.38 billion on Tuesday. Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the performance of the local bourse was in tandem with the regional markets as investors are cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) rate decision later on Wednesday. He noted that economists worldwide foresee the Fed ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 12): Bursa Malaysia ended choppy trading with modest gains on Tuesday, driven by late buying in selected plantation and banking heavyweights although cautious trading was seen throughout the day amid the reshuffling of the Cabinet ministers earlier in the morning. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 0.73 of a point to 1,447.12 from Monday's closing of 1,446.39. The key index opened 0.27 of a point easier at 1,446.12 and moved between 1,444.26 and 1,447.72 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with losers outpacing advancers by 483 to 388, while 457 counters were unchanged, 1,003 untraded, and 23 others suspended. Turnover narrowed to 3.28 billion units worth RM2.38 billion from 3.82 billion units worth RM2.47 billion the previous day. Apex Securities Bhd head of research Kenneth Leong said the KLCI ended higher but on a flattish note at less than one point as caution prevails following the reshuffling of Cabinet minist...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Bursa Malaysia snapped five consecutive days of losses last week to end higher on Monday on late buying amid the mixed regional market performance, said an analyst.  At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 4.42 points to 1,446.39 from Friday’s closing of 1,441.97. The barometer index opened 0.65 of a point easier at 1,441.32 and thereafter hit a low of 1,440.4 before moving in an upward trajectory to end at its intraday high. Market breadth was positive, with gainers outpacing decliners by 483 to 397, while 463 counters were unchanged, 988 untraded and 23 others suspended. Turnover increased to 3.82 billion units worth RM2.47 billion from 2.99 billion units valued at RM1.99 billion last Friday (Dec 8). Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the key regional indices trended mixed due to cautious trading ahead of the US inflation data, US Federal Reserve (Fed) policy decision, and retail sales numbers later t...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 8): Soft market sentiment saw Bursa Malaysia's barometer index barely move throughout the day as global uncertainties continued to keep investors on the sidelines pending crucial US jobs data slated for release on Friday. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) eased 0.88 of a point to 1,441.97 with continued modest gains by Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd helping to curb further losses. The barometer index opened 1.12 points better at 1,443.97 from Thursday's close of 1,442.85 and moved between 1,441.09 and 1,446.13 on Friday. Market breadth was slightly positive with 453 decliners and 377 gainers, while 488 counters were unchanged, 1,019 untraded, and 43 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 2.99 billion units valued at RM1.99 billion from Thursday’s 3.01 billion units valued at RM1.98 billion. Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said investors were wary ahead of a US government jobs report later on Friday followed by...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 7): Bursa Malaysia saw choppy trading throughout the day on Thursday, with China data further adding pressure to the global equities market, on top of earlier worries over oil market slump. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) gave up 2.97 points to 1,442.85 from Wednesday's close of 1,445.82. The barometer index opened 2.93 points easier at 1,442.89 and moved between 1,441.02 and 1,447.66 on Thursday. The market breadth was bearish with decliners thumping gainers 603 to 322 while 398 counters were unchanged, 999 untraded and 35 others suspended.  Turnover increased to 3.01 billion units valued at RM1.98 billion from Wednesday’s 2.8 billion units worth RMM1.81 billion. China's trade data for November saw exports rise for the first time in seven months, but imports continued to contract, signalling that the overall outlook remains cloudy. Rakuten Trade equity research vice president Thong Pak Leng said the data has negatively influenced in...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): Bursa Malaysia ended on a lower note on Wednesday amid muted trading throughout most of the session. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) lost 3.64 points to 1,445.82 from Tuesday’s close of 1,449.46. The index opened 1.45 points higher at 1,450.91 and thereafter moved between 1,444.63 and 1,452.07 throughout the day. Market breadth was negative, with decliners beating gainers 452 to 365, while 471 counters were unchanged, 1,026 untraded and 13 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 2.8 billion units worth RM1.81 billion from 3.54 billion units worth RM2 billion on Tuesday. A trader said a broad sell-off in the previous sessions as well as optimism about the US outlook for interest rate cuts helped boost interest for stocks in the early part of the day. Nevertheless, the market failed to sustain the upbeat momentum as some investors cashed in profit.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 5): Bursa Malaysia's barometer index ended slightly lower on Tuesday, paring most of its earlier losses, thanks to a rebound in telecommunications, consumer products and services as well as banking stocks. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI had fallen 1.56 points to 1,449.46, from Monday's close at 1,451.02. The index, which opened 0.11 of a point higher at 1,451.13, fluctuated between 1,444.58 and 1,451.59 during the day. Market breadth was negative, with decliners beating gainers 492 to 369, while 467 counters were unchanged, 986 untraded, and 13 others suspended.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 4): Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Monday in tandem with the weaker regional market performance as investors were cautiously awaiting a slew of key economic data from several countries, a dealer said.  At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) shed 0.37% or 5.36 points to 1,451.02 from Friday’s close of 1,456.38. The benchmark index opened 1.41 points weaker at 1,454.97 and moved between 1,448.17 and 1,457.02 throughout the trading session. Market breadth was negative, with decliners beating gainers by 591 to 306, while 430 counters were unchanged, 995 untraded and 27 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 3.16 billion units worth RM1.87 billion from 3.23 billion units worth RM2.26 billion last Friday (Dec 1). Regionally, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index dropped 1.09% to 16,646.05, Singapore’s Straits Times Index slid 0.2% to 3,084.08, Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index fell 0.29% to 3,022.91, and Japan's Nikkei 225 shed 0.6% to 33,231.27. ...

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): Bursa Malaysia ended the week marginally higher due to late buying, particularly in telecommunications and banking stocks, a dealer said. At 5pm, the FBM KLCI improved 0.25% or 3.64 points to 1,456.38 from Thursday’s close of 1,452.74. The benchmark index opened 0.74 of-a-point lower at 1,452 and moved between 1,450.09 and 1,456.52 throughout the trading session. However, market breadth was negative, with decliners leading gainers by 467 to 432, while 435 counters were unchanged, 988 untraded and 27 others suspended. Turnover shrank to 3.23 billion units worth RM2.26 billion from 4.25 billion units worth RM4.97 billion on Thursday. Rakuten Trade equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the uncertainty about the regional outlook arose due to mixed economic data from China, leading to anxiety among investors. "On the local front, we expect the near-term outlook to be positive, supported by the decent earnings performance for the third qua...